1 Corinthians 13:11, When I Became a Man

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The analogy of growing up from a child to a man is a process of transformation from immaturity to maturity. A grown up man will no longer do the childish things. The childish temper and ways are put away. He puts on a frame of maturation that comes with years of learning and training by his parents and teachers and mentors that come into his life. It is a fitting description of the spiritual man growing to maturity. It is likened to the believer from the time of his spiritual birth on earth to the time of His glorification in heaven.

When a man is called home to be with the Lord, we often say such a man “has graduated”. He has rest from his labours. He is now fully acquainted with the things of the heavenly realm which in his earthly life is but a veil through the eyes of Scripture. He is safe in the arms of Jesus. He sees his Saviour face to face. And the Apostle Paul has explained the character of Christian charity as a hallmark of that maturation.

May God’s people grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ till we see Him face to face. Amen.